saving us || sequel to 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦.

3 - what happened

song recommendation: something's gotta give - camila cabello

ryder thorn

The next morning, I woke up bright and early, excited for the day of work ahead of me. Usually I would dread getting out of bed, but not for this job.

Knowing that Jade worked just one floor below me made me want to actually go.

I knew I could see her.

She freaked out yesterday when she saw me, but I was determined to make this work again.

When I got to the Ministry in my suit, I knocked on Draco's door and after three knocks, he answered with a giant smirk on his face.

"Well hello, my new assistant."

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy." I grinned back as we both burst out laughing and entered his office.

We talked about the assignments for today and the upcoming banquet next month. It was to be held here at the Ministry and they would be honoring some of the employees. As we continued to talk about the upcoming event, Draco grew nervous.

"On a scale of 1-10 how mad do you think Jade is mad at us?"

"I'd say for you mate, a solid 6" I laughed as he released a breath, feeling relieved.

His eyes looked at me hesitantly before asking, "And what about you?"

I gulped, looking down at my fiddling fingers as I reflected in the events of yesterday. She looked bloody pissed at the both of us for the unexpected visit.

"Probably 10..."

He looked at me sympathetically, feeling sorry for me and my current situation with her.

"Eh I don't think so, mate. Jade was just shocked is all, give her some time." He assured me, his eyes still showing how bad he felt about everything.

I nodded and continued to work on the files I was given, delivering to the other heads of the departments. The Ministry was fucking huge and I was very grateful Draco let me be his assistant.

I grew nervous noticing that I only had one more office to stop by, Jade's.

She surely wouldn't want to see me, but it was my job and also hers. No matter what problems we had outside of work, we had to stay professional as coworkers.

I approached her door slowly and knocked on it a few times, my hands already beginning to sweat from anxiety.

"How may I help you?" A dark haired girl asked kindly as she opened the door to a small secretary office with a door behind it.

"Oh, Mr. Thorn. Welcome back," she smiled, remembering me from yesterday as she moved out of the way, allowing me to enter.

"Thank you, Lillian. Can I see Miss Lockhart? I have some files to deliver."

"Of course, right this way. Just let me tell her you're here-"

Not knowing what I was doing, I cut her off by pushing open the door to Jade's office, not listening to what else Lillian had to say.

"Lillian?" Jade called out from her desk across the room, not lifting her head to see me, "What is it?"

I didn't answer her, not knowing what to say. So instead, I just approached her desk and set the stack of papers down, causing her to look up at me suddenly.

"Ryder?"

"Sorry, I um-" I stuttered, not knowing how to react to her surprised reaction. "I had to drop off these files for you. They're from Malfoy-"

"Great. Tell him I said thank you," she nodded, feeling a bit awkward in my prescience as well.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, preparing to leave as I approached the door. I stood in the frame for a second, contemplating all my choices before I made a quick decision.

I shut the door, giving us complete privacy before sighing, "Jade, what happened to us?"

She didn't answer, so I turned around to see her looking down sadly at the papers in front of her on her desk.

"I don't know," she whispered in a voice barely audible, but I still heard it.

"That day at the wedding, it meant something to me-"

"It was a mistake, Ryder. We shouldn't have done that..." she sighed, her eyes looking up to meet mine and I swear all my feelings for her rushed over me all over again.

She really was beautiful. The way her blonde hair was waved loosely over her shoulders. The way her cheeks were always tinted a slight blush.

"I'm sorry, Ryder. I don't know what else to say-"

"I got fired," I blurted out suddenly, not thinking over what I was saying beforehand, "I left my work trip to go to the wedding...to see you."

She gulped, obviously unaware of the sacrifice I made as she looked at me sympathetically.

"You shouldn't have done that..." she sighed, feeling guilty for everything.

"But I did," I smiled weakly as I approached her desk again, "And I'd do it again. For you. You're worth it, you'll always be."

She took a deep breath, trying to keep up with everything that was happening in this moment.

"Can I ask you a question?"

She looked up at me again, her eyes looking uncertain.

"Shoot," she shrugged, sounding tired.

"You visited me in the Great Hall when I was unconscious that day. Right?" I asked quietly.

Her eyes looked saddened as she replied softly, "I was."

"But you left-"

"I couldn't face you, Ryder! I still don't know what I'm doing..." she sighed, cutting me off as she moved over some of the papers on her desk. "You risked your life for me and I stayed with you the whole time. But when I heard you'd be waking up soon, I knew I had to leave."

"Jade-"

"The past is in the past. We're coworkers now, let's be professional and get along at the Ministry." She pleaded and I took a deep breath, thinking over her request.

"Alright," I nodded as I turned to walk out the door.

She didn't even say goodbye as I left and I made my way back up to Draco's office feeling numb once again.

She's scared.

But I'll show her it's okay.

I know I will.

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this story is going to get interesting & spicy soon...

next chapter is already up!

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